Attachment for parachutes



Dec. 13, 1932.

L. E. SIMPSON ET AL ATTACHMENT FOR PARACHUTES Original Filed Jan.

A tiorney the completion of the second step in the fold Fahfilld Dec. 13, 1932 v i r UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFICE.

LEWIS E. SIMPSON AND CHARLES H. BARTHOLOIYIEVT, OF WICHITA, KANSAS ATTAGHIMENT FOR PARACHUTES Application filed January 10, 1930, Serial No. 19,855. :RenewcdApril 26, 1932.

This invention relates broadly to parasteel spring endless ring 6 secured to the parachutes, and has more particular reference to chute 5, and arranged centrally thereof, conthe provision of means for facilitating the centrically. of the parachute. In addition, initial opening of a parachute. there is provided an annular series'of rela- In brief, the invention consists of an endtivly smaller resilient steel springs, endless less steel ring fastened to the parachute at rings 7 ,arranged adjacent'the peripheral the center of the parachute concentrically edge of the parachute. The ringfi, and rings therewith, together with an annular series of '7, are stitched or otherwise secured to the similar rings of smaller diameter fastened to parachute 5.

the parachute at its circumferential edge, hile we have designated the centerrings so which ring, when holding the parachute to 6, and the annular series of rings .by the nu form a pack or first manipulated or twisted, meral 7, it will be. understood that these rings as to assume the shape corresponding to an are formed of similar material, being of end- 8, after which at the neck or intermediate less steel spring wire, the only difference bepart of the 8, the rings are folded or bent ing that the center 6, is of greater diameter 5 double upon themselves forming, as it were, than the rings 7, and hence in the following the letter .0. description, referring to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive,

By so doing, and'holding the wire rings in we have designated the'rings therein shown the position of a l tt r 0,11 ri ill a toby the numeral 6, andsince the rings 6 and matically unfold themselves to assume their 7 are all to be manipulated in the. same identioriginal figure when the parachute is recal manner, itis thought that the reference leased from the pack. 7 to the single rin'g6, will suflice.

Other objects and advantages of the 111- Thus it will'be seen,that.in Fig. 2,1116 ring vention will become apparent during a study as before intimated, is endless, and probof the following description, taken in conably formed of steel Sp g Wife, and

nection with the accompanying drawing shown in F ig. 2, the ring 6 is-in its normal" wherein position, and which in that position is re-' Fi 1 i a t i f a parachute tained when the parachute is fully'opened.

in open position, illustrating the application AS IS WQH-kIIOWII 111 t the Parachutes of our invention thereto. are folded in neatcompact bundles known as Fig. 2 is a plan view of the steel ring in its a pack, and through suitable means are .pref normal position. erahly automatically opened when in use- It F 1g. 3 is a plan View of the ring twisted isto facilitate the initial opening of the parato h h the figure the first p in the P- chute that render these rings 6. and 7 advantapl catmn of the invention. geoim Y I i hr 1g. 4 1s a plan v1ew of the l1Ilg' illu g In use, in folding the parachute into a pack,

of t by Fi 5 is an edge elevation of the rin at mg the mugs at dmmebncal qpposl-te Sldes b and then by properly manipulating the hands, the ring is twisted to assumethat positionshown in Fig. 3, that is, so asto simulate the iigure 8, after which, at the points" erally designated by the reference character 8 1h Y PQ 8 15 Where the r 5, and the same is of the usual shape and for- 05595 lhgeif 1h holhhhg the clhculal' P of mation, being formed of conventional matethe 8 9 the e of the same, 3 then folded rial of which parachutes are made, and be- ULP011 ltself, as t P 9J1 annulus g ing substantially circular i f r ti of considerably reduced circumference as In applying our invention to the parachute, comparedwith the original circumference of there is provided a relatively large resilient the ring, thus forming somewhat of a double ing or reduction in diameter of the ring. With reference morein detail to the drawing, it will be seen that the parachute is genlooped annulus as shown to advantage in Figs. 4 and 5.

When the ring ,6, and the rings 7, have each been reduced to that condition shown in Fig. 5, the parachute 5 Will have been completely folded into a pack, and the rings will remain in this condition until the parachute is to be brought into use, that is, to be opened up.

At such time, it is obvious that as soon as any actuation is given to the parachute to cause it to open, the double loops will'have a tendency to spring; apart to finally assume their original condition, or that condition shown in Fig. 2, at which time the parachute will be completely opened.

It is thought that from the foregoing description, taken in connection With the accompanyin drawing, a clear unoerstanding of the operation, construction, material and advantages of an invention of this character Will be had, to those skilled in the art, Without a more detailed description.

Even though We have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible'of changes, fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described. and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, What i We claim as new is 1. In combination, a parachute, an endless resilient ring of relatively large diameter fastened to the parachute concentrically of the parachute, an annular series of similar rings of relatively smaller diameter secured to the parachute concentrically of the firstmentioned ring, said rings being; foldable upon themselves when the parachute, is in a folded condition, and said. rings having an inherent tendency to return to their normal unfolded condition for eifecting an opening of the parachute.

2. Means for initially opening a parachute. comprising: a relatively large spring: rina' secured to the parachute at the crown thereof. and an annular of relatively small. spring: rings secured to the skirt of the arachute adjacent the edge thereof. all of said rino s respectively heinr: capable of fold.-

ing' into a plurality of concentric annuli.

3. Means for initially opening parachute comprising an annular series of spring; rings secured to the skirt of the parachute, each of said rings being capable of folding into a plurality of concentric annuli.

In testimony whereof we allix or signatures. V

LEWIS E. SIMPSON. CHARLES H. BARTHOLOMElV. 

